Summary
- The original Star Wars returns to Greek cinemas on February 18, 2027.
- The restored theatrical version will also receive its first IMAX screenings worldwide.
- Matt Ferguson has created a new anniversary poster.
- The Hero Awakens documentary will explore the making of the movie.
Star Wars is returning to the big screen — not with another sequel or spin-off, but with the film that started it all in 1977.
Greek distributor Feelgood Entertainment has announced that George Lucas’s original film will return to Greek cinemas on February 18, 2027, one day ahead of the international re-release date.
The newly restored original theatrical film will anchor a year-long celebration of the franchise’s 50th anniversary, with Lucasfilm planning events, new productions and special projects.
The 1977 film returns to cinemas
Star Wars premiered on May 25, 1977, reshaping popular cinema and launching one of its most influential film universes.
The anniversary release focuses on the original theatrical version of the movie, subsequently retitled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. That distinction matters because the film has undergone several rounds of revisions since its first release.
Lucasfilm says the restored film will screen on thousands of screens worldwide in digital and film formats, including IMAX 70mm, Digital IMAX, 4DX and D-BOX where available.
This will be the first-ever IMAX presentation of the original film. A special anniversary logo before the feature will be accompanied by a newly orchestrated score by John Williams. The growing appeal of IMAX screenings highlights how the theatrical experience itself has become a major attraction.
For Greece, the opening date has been announced, but a detailed cinema list and local presentation formats have not yet been confirmed.
Matt Ferguson creates a new anniversary poster
A new poster by Matt Ferguson pays tribute to the visual identity of the 1977 original.
The Death Star dominates the composition, with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca in the foreground, while X-wings and other spacecraft fill the skies. It recalls an era when a single illustrated theatrical poster had to convey the entire atmosphere of a film.
A new documentary explores how Star Wars was made
The celebrations extend beyond the theatrical release. On May 4, 2027 — Star Wars Day — Disney+ will premiere The Hero Awakens, a documentary directed by R.J. Cutler.
Built around original production archives, the documentary features previously unseen footage and unheard interviews. For filmmakers, it offers a look at the technical and creative challenges behind a production that transformed visual effects.
Star Wars: Starfighter, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Gosling, is also scheduled to open on May 28, 2027, including selected IMAX 70mm screenings.
What we think
Some films deserve to be seen on a cinema screen, even after countless viewings at home. The original Star Wars is definitely one of them.
For anyone interested in filmmaking and image-making, Lucas’s film remains fascinating. The spacecraft models, miniature photography, practical effects and techniques used together helped set the standard for generations of filmmakers.
The focus on the original theatrical version makes this release even more appealing. It gives audiences an opportunity to get closer to what moviegoers experienced in 1977, rather than only seeing one of the later revisions.
The archival documentary is just as promising for those curious about the filmmaking process. Seeing how now-familiar images were produced without modern digital tools can be genuinely inspiring — especially when the footage comes from the production itself.
